Odisha: BJD MP criticised by party for praising union minister Dharmendra Pradhan

A BJD MP's praise for Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday triggered a political row and evoked sharp criticism from his party leaders, while BJP said there is truth in his remarks.

As leaders of ruling BJD took strong exception to the remarks of Pinaki Mishra, Lok Sabha MP from Puri, party MLA Debashish Samantaray took a dig at Mishra for praising Pradhan terming his statement as "anti-party".

Samantaray said the performance of Oil Minister Pradhan can be assessed very well from the frequent hike in oil prices. Mishra also knows the manner in which Pradhan is working, he said.

Speaking at a function yesterday, Mishra had said: "Dharmendra Babu s worst critics will also concede that he is exceptionally hard-working and very competent." Considering the country s economic condition and steep rise in oil prices, false praise about the Union minister is not justified, said Samantray.

Another senior BJD leader and state Minister Damodar Rout was sarcastic about Pinaki Mishra and said the party MP may be fond of Pradhan.

BJP, on the other hand, took a jibe at BJD leaders accusing them of being unable to digest the "truth". BJP's state unit vice-president Samir Mohanty claimed that Pinaki had spoken the truth.

"Accepting truth requires adequate strength. Inability to accept truth has shown inherent weakness in BJD leaders," claimed Mohanty.